Poowong have held out a determined Lang Lang to remain in the mix in the Ellinbank District under 18s.
The Magpies kicked two goals in the third term to create their buffer, holding on to win 8-5 (53) to 5-7 (37).
The seventh-placed Magpies and sixth-placed Tigers sit one game behind fifth-placed Neerim-Neerim South.
Bryce Broadmore, Lachie Moriarty, Jackson Laing, Johnathan Wilson, Troy Nieuwerth and Cruze Deal helped Poowong to victory.
Keeping the Tigers in the contest were Lachlan Casey, Jack Stockx, Ty Thom, Denver Messer, Cody Mannix and Tai Liddiard.
Other matches saw big wins to the top four sides.
BULN BULN had an even spread of contributors on the way to a big win over Trafalgar, 22-12 (144) to 4-0 (24).
LONGWARRY kicked away from Yarragon, winning 17-7 (109) to 2-7 (19).
George Morgan, Ji Doyle, Bailey Hill, Connor Bennett, Hamish Colvin and Ethan Seskis helped the Crows to a strong win.
The Panthers were best served by Thomas Bastin, Mitchell Cahill, Dylan O'Sullivan, Archie Dunn, Cooper Healy and Elijah Ryan.
ELLINBANK kept Neerim-Neerim South goalless, running out a big win 24-10 (154) to 0-1 (1).
Liam Klason, Luke Rollinson, Charlie Armour, Thomas Halloran-Lavelle, Ayden Clarke and Shayne Sherry led the way for the Eagles.
The better players for the Cats were Jett Muir, Blair Loft, Blake Macdonald, Kayden Strickland, Aidan Franz and Jordan Franz.
NILMA-DARNUM thumped Bunyip, 25-8 (158) to 2-1 (13).
The Bombers controlled the contest from the outset with six first quarter goals, before an incident on the final siren sparked an all-in melee.
James Patterson, Brodie Onslow, James Demicoli, Miller Ireland, Patrick Brown and Jackson Brown led the Bombers to victory.
The Bulldogs were best served by Samuel Hughes, Kade Poole, Ethan Cooke, Lewis Demetrios, Jethro McEwan and Jaylen Grace.